Secret Relationships

Differences: Secret Relationships is more toxic and violent. Peach Trap is fluffier and less serious.

Similarities: Both dramas feature 3 possible love interests for the ML (lol, I just wish they would all date each other rather than fighting over one person). Both dramas also have ghost ships (iykyk). And the main couple in both dramas feature black cat archetype with golden retriever archetype (classic).

- both are short korean boys love dramas with a darker vibe and darker themes.
- Main character(s) have a traumatic and sad past
- some toxicity
Both shows are directed by the same person.

The premises are not the same in the slightest but Secret Relationships excels in areas where Business as Usual falls flat. The story is fleshed out, the conflicts are actually addressed, and the characters have more depth. The vibe of secret relationships is what I think they wanted for BAU but it just didn't hit. Here are some similarities:
- Misunderstandings due to different POVs
- Non-linear story telling by slowly showing the character's relationship histories through flashbacks
- Meeting again after a long time
- Green flag love interest (lowkey the MC doesn't deserve him)
- Office romance

Both are Korean BL dramas that are a bit dark and talks about issues such as broken families and depression. Both also have a love triangle (or square). There are 3 guys liking the same guy in Secret Relationships and 2 guys liking the same guy in Love for Love's Sake. There is no red flag love interest in Love for Love's Sake which is a lighter show while there are many red flag love interests in Secret Relationships which is way more toxic.

Both has Toxic relationship, lack of communication at some part but good chemistry. Everyone being obsessed on the lead, etc

Both of them are directed by the great Yang Kyung Hee, so the atmospheres are rather similar.
They both have psychological elements and psychopathic attributes in a supporting character.
Yang Kyung Hee has also undoubtedly included references from The Director Who Buys Me Dinner to Secret Relationships, for example some cinematic shots in SR resemble some scenes in TDWBMD. (like Da On's and Jae Min's fancy dinner scene + Dong Baek's and Yu Dam's first dinner date)

ML is deceived by his toxic friends who obsess over him and have some secret arrangements behind his back. Main couple is not really toxic though.

If you loved Secret Relationships for its complicated relationships, intense chemistry, emotional tension, and the secrets and unspoken feelings that make the characters’ connections so addictive, you should definitely give Double Helix a try.

Both draw you into relationships that aren’t simple or easy to define, where emotions build beneath the surface and the characters become increasingly entangled with one another. There is a strong sense of emotional vulnerability, tension, and attachment that makes you want to understand what the characters truly feel and where their connection will ultimately lead. If you enjoy character-driven romances where the chemistry is only part of the appeal and the emotional layers keep pulling you deeper, Double Helix is absolutely worth discovering.

Aside from both of these being KBL's, the only other similarity is that the relationship dynamic feels a bit dark. Love in Protocol is definitely not as toxic as Secret Relationships. BUT the dynamic between the MLs in Love in Protocol did remind me a bit of Daon and Jaemin's relationship.

There's an unhealthy reliance between the MLs in both dramas, a bit of an age difference (student and tutor) and a SPRINKLE of possible grooming.

Secret Relationships is more serious, with meatier episodes and a bigger budget. Love in Protocol is a quicker watch with lower stakes. I recommend both if semi-toxic love is your vibe.

Both are BL dramas with red flag love interests, toxic behaviour and love triangles. The main character's life is ruined due to his red flag love interest(s). Love Mechnaics is a Thai BL with a main couple while Secret Relationships is a Korean BL with 3 guys chasing after 1.

Both are BL dramas with red flag love interests, toxic behaviour and love triangles. The main character's life is ruined due to his red flag love interest. My Stand-In is a Thai BL with a main couple while Secret Relationships is a Korean BL with 3 guys chasing after 1.

Both are Korean BL dramas with red flag dominant love interests and a submissive main character. However, in Secret Relationships, there are 3 guys chasing after the MC.

Both are BL dramas with characters that are red flags, and have jealousy, obsession, manipulation and control. The main character is stuck in a love triange (or square). In Futtara Doshaburi, the MC has 2 guys fighting for him while in Secret Relationships there are 3.

Similar dark and messy BL drama with changing relationships and toxic traits. In Secret Relationship, the main character has romantic entanglements with 3 different guys while in Only Friends, there are 3 main set couples with entanglements between them.

In both Korean BL dramas, the main character has a string of romantic relationships with numerous other guys. In Secret Relationships, 3 guys chase 1 at the same time, while in Love in the Big City, the MC has bfs one at a time. Both dramas have characters that showcase messy and toxic traits that explore the reasons for falling in and out of love.